Facelifted Alfa Romeo Giulietta unveiled

The new Giulietta features a revised front-end that includes a new honeycomb grille, piano black bumper inserts (with red highlights on sporty models) and revised headlamp and fog lamp surrounds.

The refreshed Giulietta takes design cues from the Alfa Romeo Giulia sports saloon, and is complemented by new badge designs (both the “Alfa Romeo” and “Giulietta” logos) new alloy wheel designs, revised tail pipes, new colours (Alfa White and Lipari Grey) and a new engine and transmission combination.

On the inside there are revised seat upholsteries, dashboard and door panel finishes, a Uconnect infotainment system now with smartphone-enabled LIVE services (music streaming with Deezer and TuneIn, news with Reuters, Facebook Check-In and Twitter, plus eco:Drive and my:Car services and traffic updates for navigation-equipped models).

Also debuting on the new Giulietta is ‘Alfa Performance’ - a new service specifically created to enhance the driving experience. Using digital gauges and instruments, drivers can control the main parameters of the car, measure their performance using special timers and see driving statistics on their smartphone, in addition to receiving real-time driving tips. The service is available on Uconnect 6.5” Radio Nav LIVE.

Under the bonnet there’s now the option of combining the 120hp 1.6-litre JTDM-2 turbo diesel engine with the Alfa TCT twin dry-clutch transmission. This engine produces 120hp at 3,750rpm and 320Nm of torque from 1,7450rpm and when paired with Alfa Romeo’s quick-shifting and TCT transmission, it can be used as a full automatic (with its responsiveness and shift patterns adjusted via the three-mode Alfa DNA drive selector) or as a full manual, either by slotting the gear selector into its sequential gate or by using the steering wheel paddle shifters.

This engine and transmission combination has a top speed of 121mph and can accelerate from 0 to 62mph in 10.2 seconds, while its official combined cycle fuel-economy and emissions figures matches those of the manual version, returning 74.3 MPG and producing 99g/km of CO2.

The new Giulietta’s model range comes in five trim levels: Giulietta, Giulietta Super, Giulietta Tecnica, Giulietta Speciale and Giulietta Veloce. The entry-level model now benefits from burnished headlamp surrounds, satin-finish door handles and new oblique tailpipes, while inside there are new grey and black fabric seats with Alfa Romeo logo on the head restraints, new matte black dashboard insert and luxury floor mats.

The refreshed style elements are accompanied by a ‘comprehensive standard equipment list’ which includes a leather steering wheel with audio remote controls, air conditioning, five-inch Uconnect LIVE with Bluetooth connectivity, the Alfa DNA selector, six airbags, 16-inch ‘Turbine’ alloy wheels, one-touch electric windows all round and steering-wheel paddle shifters on TCT-equipped models.

The Giulietta Super trim level adds dual-zone automatic climate control, cruise control, a front armrest, new 16-inch alloy wheels, front fog lights and upgraded seat upholstery. A new Lusso pack can be added to the Super model to enhance the look of the car and includes leather upholstery, front and rear armrests (with third rear headrest), aluminium kick plates and the 6.5-inch Uconnect LIVE system with voice-operated satellite navigation and 3D mapping.

Giulietta Tecnica replaces the Business Edition and includes the 6.5-inch Uconnect infotainment system with navigation, automatic lights and wipers, electro-chromatic rear view mirror, front and rear parking sensors, new 16-inch wheels, side skirts and rear privacy glass.

The Giulietta Speciale offers customers the option of combining the sporty look and feel of the high performance Veloce version with a broad selection of engines. Standard equipment includes a sports suspension, sports bumpers with red Alfa profile, classic five-hole 18-inch alloy wheels, Brembo brakes with red four-piston callipers, tinted windows, new carbon-look headlamp surrounds, an anthracite finish on the mirror caps, door handles, grille and fog light surrounds and the 6.5-inch Uconnect LIVE system with navigation.

Finally, the new Giulietta Veloce tops the revised line-up and in terms of equipment is similar to the Speciale but with new 18-inch alloy rims, specific sports suspension tuning, oversized tailpipes and the most powerful engine in the Giulietta range – the 240hp 1750 turbo petrol engine combined with a specially calibrated TCT transmission.

The new Alfa Romeo Giulietta goes on sale on April 1 with prices starting from just £18,450 OTR. Full pricing details will be announced closer to the car’s UK launch.